Two Main Components of NCLB’s Teacher Quality Regulations: Parents' Right to Know and Teacher Quality Requirements

What are the two main components of the NCLB Teacher Quality Guidelines?

1. Parents' Right to Know2. Teacher Quality Requirements

What does “Parents' Right to Know” mean?

The local school system must provide information to the parents of students in schools supported by Title I funds regarding the parental “right-to-know.” Notifications should explain that parents may request information on the personal qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals.

Information that can be requested includes:

Any college or university degrees or certification held by the teacher

The subject area of the teacher’s degree or certification

Whether or not the teacher is certified by the state of Maryland to teach a particular grade level or subject area

Whether or not the teacher holds a provisional certificate

Whether or not the child is served by a paraprofessional and, if so, the qualifications of the paraprofessional

What are the general teacher quality requirements?

Beginning the 2002-2003 school year, all new teachers hired in schools receiving Title I funds must meet the federal government qualification of being “highly qualified.”

Beginning the 2005-2006 school year, all teachers in all schools must meet the federal government qualification of being “highly qualified.”